Silvio Berlusconi’s wife to get villa and £3m a year in divorce deal

Silvio Berlusconi is close to reaching a multi-million-pound separation deal with his wife,
Veronica Lario, after she accused Italyâs philandering leader of consorting with a 18-year old.

Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is set to divorce his wife Veronica Lario

The pair and their lawyers spent nearly five hours in a Milan court on Saturday.

âWe are close to an agreement,â said a legal source after the meeting. Newspapers said Ms Lario, who initially requested a monthly alimony of Â£3million compared to her husbandâs offer of up to Â£258,000 a month, seems ready to lower her demands. Itâs thought he has given her their luxury villa near Milan.

Still to be worked out is an arrangement for the three children of the estranged couple and their future roles in Mr Berlusconiâs business empire.

Ms Lario, 53, announced her intention to divorce the billionaire tycoon-turned- politician in May last year. He had attended the 18th birthday party of a would-be model in Naples. Ms Lario said she could not stay with a man âfrequenting minorsâ.

Mr Berlusconi, 73, repeatedly denied being involved with the Naples girl but was later embroiled in another scandal after an escort said she slept with him and was paid to attend parties at his Rome residence. Mr Berlusconi says he has never paid for sex.

Under Italian law, divorce proceedings can only begin three years after a separation agreement is reached.